Whisky Jerx, Sydney

Author: Pat Nourse

12:13PM, Feb 24, 2015

Exsqueeze me? A baking powder? Ben Blair, Reece Griffiths and
Lee Potter Cavanagh definitely aren't opening a Wayne's
World-themed bar this week. Sure, Whisky Jerx, their pop-up in
the basement of the Unicorn Hotel in Sydney's Paddington, seems
curiously reminiscent of the basement from which Wayne Campbell and
Garth Algar filmed their cable-access show Wayne's World
in the 1992 hit film of the same name. And yes, there's plenty in
the way of rock classics on the playlist (and not a little
"Bohemian Rhapsody") along with live music. And yes, there
seems to be the odd Wayne's World reference on the drinks
list (the ineffably elegant-sounding Monkeys Might Fly Outta My
Butt, for instance, combines whisky, rockmelon juice, lemon and
falernum). But it's definitely not a Wayne's World-themed
bar. Not as far as intellectual property rights are concerned,
anyway.

In what might be considered a nod to the fun Mike Myers had in the
movie with sponsored product placement, the pop-up is the product
of a national competition staged by Monkey Shoulder whisky
("Contract or no, I will not bow to any sponsor," says Wayne/Myers,
flourishing a Pizza Hut box), but the bar also sells house-made
sodas (with or without booze added), five wines, five beers and
five other spirits. Nighthawk Diner provides the food ("with jelly
doughnuts of course", adds Potter Cavanagh).

Whisky Jerx opens February 25, and it'll be home to babelicious
good times. Alice Cooper and Tia Carrere may or may not put in
cameo appearances, but it opens from four till midnight Wednesday
to Sunday regardless. Party on, Wayne. Party on, Garth.